The Gospel Tradition: Roots & Branches, Vol. 1

One of the few gospel collections that ignores the barriers between White and Black gospel music, The Gospel Tradition: The Roots and the Branches - Vol. 1 contrasts the blues of Bessie Smith and the western swing of Bob Wills, the rough edge of Mitchell's Christian Singers and the smooth polish of The Sons of The Pioneers. Lots of obscure sides dating back to 1927, and a wide range of styles from sanctified women to choral spirituals.